Apparatus for use in playing pecussion instruments

ABSTRACT

A foot operated playing device for musical percussion instruments in which the foot pedal is remotely and adjustably spaced from a beater at the instrument such as a bass drum. The player&#39;&#39;s desired rhythm applied to the remotely located pedal is accurately and precisely transmitted from the foot pedal to the beater through a flexible shaft in the form of concentric helical coils. The device may be used also in combination with another pedal and beater disposed at the instrument. A sub-combination includes a removable adjustable spacer connector which not only can be used with the instant playing device, but may be used to adjustably secure various instruments and their accessories in spaced relation to each other. The entire apparatus is generally collapsible for transportation and storage.

United States Patent [1 1 Zalmer APPARATUS FOR USE IN PLAYING PECUSSION INSTRUMENTS [76] Inventor: Richard D. Zalmer, 91 Old Ansonia Road, Seymour, Conn. 06483 [22] Filed: May 20, 1970 [2]] App]. No.: 39,073

[52] US. Cl. 84/422 [51] Int. Cl. Gl0d 13/00 [58] Field of Search 84/422, 453

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,845,830 8/1958 Haviland 84/422 3,543,632 12/1970 LaFlame 84/453 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 649,914 2/1951 Great Britain 84/422 111 3,742,806 July3, 1973 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney-Roy L. Parsell 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A foot operated playing device for musical percussion instruments in which the foot pedal is remotely and adjustably spaced from a beater at the instrument such as a bass drum. The players desired rhythm applied to the remotely located pedal is accurately and precisely transmitted from the foot pedal to the beater through a flexible shaft in the form of concentric helical coils. The device may be used also in combination with another pedal and beater disposed at the instrument. A sub-combination includes a removable adjustable spacer connector which not only can be used with the instant playing device, but may be used to adjustably secure various instruments and their accessories in spaced relation to each other. The entire apparatus is generally collapsible for transportation and storage.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJM m5 m H Mm W V UP W/L PATENIEUJULB 197a 3.742.806

sum 2 or 3 INVENTOR. HwkanZ 2. Zaimer By M fl I'TORNE' Y 1 APPARATUS FOR USE IN PLAYING PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I In the field of musical percussion instruments this invention relates to a foot operated pedal mechanism and in particular to those pedal mechanisms which are spaced relative to the instrument per se and to subcombinations to hold the pedal mechanism in desired fixed relation to the respective adjacent instruments and to the location of the player.

2. Description of the Prior Art Todays player or drummer, in the stationary orchestra or band, in contradistinction to marching bands, is called upon to play several instruments or traps comprising for example one or two bass drums, snare drums, cymbals, tom toms and other percussion instruments.

Some of these instruments can be adapted to be operated by the feet using pedal mechanisms to thus free the hands for the snare drums, certain cymbals, and other percussion instruments.

Pedal mechanisms are mounted on the respective instruments such as the bass drum or cymbals as for example the so-called hi hat type. The pedal mechanism as applied to a bass drum comprises a foot pedal which through a suitable linkage operates a beater which strikes the drum head. Y

The term stationary orchestra or band refers to the band which remains stationary while playing but is mobile in the sense of moving to the designated location when it is to play. Hence the various instruments and the mechanisms are designed for efficient assembly and disassembly and compactness in packing, transportation, and playing. For example, instead of two bass drums a single bass drum may be used equipped with two beaters. A high hat cymbal may be operated by a foot pedal and so on.

In grouping the various instruments on which a player performs, they are arranged in a sort of semicir'cle about his position, which is usually a sitting one, the seat sometimes referred to as the throne. One or more pedals must be so disposed that they can be operated from such a sitting position. In some cases the pedal mechanism may be attached directly to the instrument, as for example, clamping it to the rim of the bass drum. In other cases the pedal is placed remotely to the instrument which it plays and suitable means connected between the pedal mechanism and the instrument to relatively hold the respective positions on the floor and to operate the respective heaters by movement of pedals.

In those cases when the pedal mechanism is mounted on the instrument, the problem is relatively simple, but where the pedal mechanism is remote the spaced relationship must be secure and the force applied to the beater originating from the pedal must be held without the slightest lost motion or rhythm so that the feel" of the player may be accurately effective on the instrument, as for example the bass drum played from a relatively remote distance.

Since all of the instruments are set up at the location of the band or orchestra, the connecting means must be conveniently detachable and adjustable.

In order to avoid fatigue on the part of the player not only must the location be correct but must be adjusted from time to time to seek a new position relative to the SUMMARY The invention comprises an improvement in pedal mechanisms and the operating means for connecting the pedal mechanism to the instrument, as for example to the beater or beaters of a bass drum. This latter means consists essentially of a flexible shaft directly connecting the oscillating shaft of the pedal mechanism to the oscillating shaft of the beater. Adjustable spacing members maintain the pedal'mechanism in the desired fixed relationship between pedal, instrument, and the player.

The difficulties of the previous structures are overcome by providing a flexible means for transmitting the impulse of the players foot on his pedal without loss of motion and which enables the player to express the rhythm of his skill and talent not possible with previously known structures.

My method of adjustably securing the respective instruments relative to each other and the position of the player is novel. By enabling the player to change the spacing between himself and the respective instruments, he can relieve fatigue and thus maintain himself at full level of efficiency.

Flexible force transmitting means in the form of rigid members connected by universal joints does not provide for transmitted uniform angular velocity or, in other words, the desired rhythm effective at the beater. Furthermore, my adjustable spacing connectors prevent-undesired movement or creeping of the instruments and insures against undesired deviation of the rhythm.

Some manufacturers provide their instruments with sharp pointed legs to prevent creeping or undesired movement which tend to damage the floors, all of which is eliminated by use of the spacing connectors hereinafter described and claimed as part of the application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of my invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevation, somewhat enlarged, taken on line 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an elevation, somewhat enlarged, taken on line 33 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a portion of the pedal mechanism and beater shown secured to the bass drum according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of my invention,

FIG. 6 is a vertical section on line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a vertical section on line 7-7 of'FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of my invention showing a sub-combination of my invention for adjustably spacing another instrument to the group shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a plurality of adjustably connecting members in operating position, and

FIG. 10 is an elevation taken on line 10-10 of FIG. Q.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, numeral denotes the percussion instrument in the form of a bass drum reposing on a room floor (floor not shown). A beater assembly unit 11 is attached to the drum by means of a clamp 15 (FIG. 4). A remote pedal assembly driving unit 12 (FIG. 1), also reposing on the floor, drives a beater 16 through a flexible shaft 14 while another beater 17 is driven by pedal mechanism 18 by means to be subsequently described indetail.

The beater unit assembly 11 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) consists of a base 19 on which is mounted an upright support 20 terminating in an enlarged head portion 21 (FIG. 3). Transversely fixed in this head portion 21 is an axle pin 22.

A short hollow beater shaft 23 (viewed at right FIG.

3) oscillates on one end of axle pin 22 and a second short hollow beater shaft 24 oscillates on the opposite end of axle pin 22. A first beater 17 is fixed to hollow beater shaft 23. Also fixed to this hollow shaft 23 is a radial armlike member 25 (FIG. 4) over which passes a weblike link 26 and extends downwardly to be secured to the upper end of pedal 27 while the upper end of link 26 is secured to radial arm member 25. The lower end of pedal 27 rests on the floor and is hinged at 28 to one end of a base extension member 19a (FIGS. 1 and 4) having its opposite end fixed to base I 19. A coiled spring 30 (FIG. 4) fixed at its lower end to a spring anchor 31 which is slidably mounted on upright support 20 and at its upper end to a radial arm 32 on the hollow beater shaft 23, acts to maintain beater 17 away from the drum head 33. A collar 34 (FIG. 3) secured to axle pin 22 by set screw 35 maintains hollow beater shaft '23 in oscillating relationship to support head 21.

Beater 16 is fixed to hollow beater shaft 24 which oscillates on axle pin 22 and is held in oscillating position against support head 21 by means of companion groove 36 and pin 37 in shaft 24 on axle pin 22 respectively. The beater 16 is held away from the drum head 33 by a spring means similar to that used with beater 17, namely spring 30' and arm 32'. However, beater shaft 24 is driven by means to be subsequently described.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, remote pedal driving unit assembly 12 comprises a base 38 to which is mounted a pair of upright supports 39 and 39a. Journaled in these upright supports 39 and 39a is an oscillating drive shaft 40 driven by remote pedal 41. Pedal 41 comprises a foot portion 41a connected to a heel portion 41b by means of a hinge 42. The heel portion 41b rests on the floor and is rigidly connected to the plate base 38 by a base extension member 38a and may be considered as an integral part of the base on occasion. The toe end of pedal 41 is connected to oscillating drive shaft 40 by means of arm 25 (FIG. 2) and link 26' in a similar manner, as previously described in connection with beater unit 11. Spring means 30" and arm 32" maintain the remote pedal 41 in a raised position in a similar manner as that previously described for beater unit assembly 11 (FIG. 4).

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible shaft 14 connects drive shaft 40 (drive unit 12) with beater shaft 24 so that a force applied to remote pedal 41 is transmitted through drive shaft 40, flexible shaft 14, to

hollow beater shaft 24 to actuate beater 16. Since the 4. force applied to remote pedal 41 is transmitted through a continuous flexible shaft without universal joints, telescoping members, or sharp angles, there is no loss of power, time, or unintended variation in angular velocity of the beater. Hence the full desired rhythm or desired variation of rhythm is received at the beater.

The preferred form of shaft a continuous helical coil is formed with the convolutions running in one direction and a second concentric continuous coil is formed with the convolutions running in the opposite direction. One coil so formed surrounds the other coil thus insuring complete angular velocity from one end to the other and no backlash or other loss of force.

Flexible shaft 14 is preferable in one continuous piece and is provided with suitable companion coupling members for quick assembly and take apart, such for example as a tongue having a plurality of sides fitting into a socket member with corresponding sides and provided with detent means to hold the coupling members together.

It will be observed now that the two springs 30' (FIG. 3) and 30" (FIG. 2) promptly return beater 16 and remote pedal 41 respectively to position for the beginning of another beat. By selecting springs of proper tension the driving force applied to pedals 27 and 41 may be equalized if desired or adjusted for a respective balance of driving forces.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 in which the flexible shaft 14' is con- 'nected between the hinge portion of remote pedal 41' and beater mechanism in drive unit 11' for playing beater 16' (latter beater shown most clearly in FIG. 7).

FIG. 6 shows the toe portion of remote pedal 41' fixed to pedal shaft 54 by a set screw 55. The forward portion of pedal 41 is mounted in the same manner as that described for pedal 41. (FIGS. 1 and 2) A jack shaft 62 (FIG. 5) corresponds to drive shaft 40 (FIG. 2) and provides means for holding up the front end of pedal 41a. The difference in this embodiment being that the flexible shaft 14' takes off from the hinge shaft 54 instead of jack shaft 62. The heel portion (see FIG. 5) is fixed to a base extension member 4la in a similar manner as base extension member 19a (FIG. 1). A portion of shaft 54 extends (to the right as viewed in FIG. 6) beyond the pedal 41 to receive a coupling member 56 and fixed to shaft 54 by a set screw 57. This coupling member 56 in turn receives one end of a flexible shaft 14' which drives a heater 16' mounted on a unit 11 to be subsequently described.

Still referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the base 19' of unit 11 has mounted thereon upright support 20 (FIG. 7) on which is mounted axle pin 22' (FIG. 7) to journal oscillating beater shaft 23' and to the latter is secured beater 16'. Beater shaft 23' (FIG. 7) is driven through flexible link 58 and radial armlike member 57 by the rodlike sloping link member 59 fixedly mounted on drive shaft 60. Shaft 60 is provided with a coupling member 61 (FIG. 5) to receive one end of a flexible shaft 14.

Except when driven by flexible shaft 14' beater 16' is maintained away from the engagement with the drum head, for example, by radial arm 25' and spring means 30" in a similar manner to that previously described for beater 16.

Remote pedal 41' may be provided with any suitable means (not shown) for maintaining it in the uppermost portion for the start of the playing stroke. However, the means described supra for pedal 41 is preferred.

In the foregoing description of unit 11 and as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the mechanisms of both beaters l6 and 17 are supported on a single base 19. However, I may also support each beater mechanism separately by using separate support 20 members mounted on separate bases 19 and 19' respectively. By such an arrangement I may place the unit comprising beater 16 (or beater 16') in any desired position relative to the drum head, as for example those shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 5.

In the schematic embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the beater unit is denoted by numeral 19" and the flexible shaft by numeral 14", while in the schematic embodimerit shown in FIG. 5, the beater unit is denoted by numeral 19" and the flexible shaft by the numeral 14".

A further important feature of my invention is the spacer connector 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which maintains the remote pedal assembly unit 12 in any desired fixed relation to the instrument and beater unit 11. This spacer connector 13 thus relieves any positioning strain that would beplaced on flexible shaft 14 so that all that is required of flexible shaft 14 is to transmit rotation about its axis. Furthermore, spacer connector 13 positively maintains a fixed space relation between the remote pedal unit 12 and the beater unit 11. However, this spacer connector may be so constructed as to enable the distances to be varied between units as desired and also the relative angular positions on the floor plane.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral 43 denotes the elongated top member of connector 13, and 44 denotes the elongated bottom member which slides between depending guideway sides 47. Slot 45 in bottom member 43 provides clearance for locking bolt 49 depending from top member 43.

Swivel arms 48 and 48' are mounted on members 43 and 44 respectively and locked in place by locking bolts 49 and 50 respectively.

The outer ends of swivel arms 48 and 48 may be secured to the units 11 and 12 respectively by means of locking bolts 49 and 50 and to assist in this purpose raised flanges 51 and 52 are provided. FIG. 2 illustrates most clearly the raised flange 52 on unit 12. However, any suitable fastening or gripping means such as jaws may be used. It will be obvious that the swivel arms 48 and 48' enable any desired angle between the units to be used.

FIGS. 8, 9 and show how the spacer connector 13 can be adapted to hold various units and instruments in relative positions. Numeral 53, for example, denotes a seat or throne, as the latter is sometimes called, so that when the connectors, such as 13, are set in place the instruments remain in the proper relation to the player and each other both for manual and foot playing.

I claim:

1. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which reposes on a room floor, a playing device also disposed on the floor comprising a. a beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion,

b. an oscillating beater shaft journaled on the support portion of the beater unit,

c. a beater mounted on said beater shaft,

d. a drive unit remotely disposed on the floor from said beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion,

e. an oscillating drive shaft journaled on the support portion of the drive unit,

f. a drive pedal mounted on the base of the drive unit,

g. a linkage means connecting said drive pedal to said drive shaft,

h. a flexible shaft connecting said drive shaft and said beater shaft in driving relationship, and

i. spacing connector means connected between said drive unit and said beater unit to maintain said units in spaced relationship.

2. A playing device according to claim 1 wherein a. a second oscillating beater shaft is journaled on said support portion of the beater unit,

b. a beater mounted on said second oscillating beater shaft,

c. a second drive pedal mounted on said base of the beater unit, and

d. linkage means connecting said second drive pedal to said second osciliating beater shaft for driving said second beater shaft.

3. The playing device according to claim 1 wherein the spacing connector means is provided with adjustable longitudinal extension means to vary the distance between the respective units.

4. In the playing device according to claim 1 wherein said flexible shaft includes a plurality of concentric h elical coils in which a. a first coil has the helical turns disposed in one direction, and

b. a second coil has the helical turns disposed in the opposite direction.

5. A playing device according to claim 1 wherein the mounting of a drive pedal includes a. a base extension member connected to the base, and

b. said pedal hinged to said base extension member.

6. A playing device according to claim 1 wherein a detachable securing means is connected between said heater unit and the instrument to maintain fixed relationship between the beater unit and the instrument.

7. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which rests on the room floor, a playing device disposed adjacent to the instrument comprising a. a beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion,

b. an oscillating beater shaft journaled on the support portion of the beater unit,

c. a beater mounted on said beater shaft,

d. a drive shaft journaled on the base of the beater unit,

e. linkage means connecting said drive shaft to said beater shaft to drive said beater shaft,

f. a drive unit remotely disposed from said beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion,

g. a pedal hinge shaft journaled to the base of the drive unit,

h. a pedal fixedly mounted on said hinge shaft,

i. a flexible shaft connecting said hinge shaft and said drive shaft in operating relationship, and

j. spacing connector means connected between said beater unit and said drive unit to maintain the units in spaced relation to each other.

8. A playing device according to claim 7 wherein resilient return means is provided to return at least the beater to a position of ready to play.

9. A playing device according to claim 8 wherein resilient means for returning the pedal to position of ready to play includes a. a portion of the drive unit base forming an upright support portion,

b. a jack shaft journaled on said support portion,

c. a first radial arm mounted on said jack shaft,

d. linkage means connecting said pedal with said first arm whereby playing movement of the pedal oscillates said jack shaft against an oscillation exerted by return spring means,

e. a second radial arm mounted on said jack shaft,

and

f. return spring means mounted on said drive unit upright support portion and connected to said second radial arm to return said pedal to a ready to play position.

10. A playing unit according to claim 7 wherein the drive unit includes .a. a base extension member connected to said base,

- and i b. said pedal hinge shaft journaled on said base extension member.

11. A drum arrangement including a beater unit and spacing means interconnecting said beater unit and a drive means comprising: i

a. an elongated rigid first member,

b. an elongated rigid second member slidable on said first member,

c. guide means on at least one of said members to maintain said members in sliding engagement,

d. locking means disposed on one of the members to detachably retain the members in fixed relative position,

e. at least one free end of one of said members having pivotal connecting means thereon,

f. means for locking the arm member in a desired angular; and

an elongated rigid third member pivotally intercon-f necting said stool and said spacing means.

13. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which reposes on a room floor, a playing apparatus therefor disposed on the floor comprising:

a. a heater unit disposed adjacent the instrument,

b. a drive unit remotely disposed on the floor from the beater unit having a base and an upright support mounted thereon,

c. a beater shaft journaled in said beater unit,

d. a pedal driven drive shaft journaled in the upright support of the drive unit; and

e. elongated shaft means connecting said drive shaft with said beater shaft in which a portion of the elongated connecting shaft means includes a flexible shaft.

14. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which reposes on a room floor, a playing apparatus therefor disposed on the floor comprising:

a. a beater unit disposed adjacent the instrument having a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion,

b. a drive unit remotely disposed on the floor from the beater unit,

c. a pedal driven first drive shaft journaled on the drive unit,

' d. a second drive shaft journaled in the floor engaging portion of the beater unit,

e. a beater shaft journaled in the upright support portion of the beater unit,

f. linkage means connecting the second drive shaft with the beater shaft in driving relationship; and

g. elongated connecting shaft means connecting said first drive shaft and said second drive shaft in driving relationship in which a portion of said elongated shaft includes a flexible shaft.

* :r a ll: 

1. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which reposes on a room floor, a playing device also disposed on the floor comprising a. a beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion, b. an oscillating beater shaft journaled on the support portion of the beater unit, c. a beater mounted on said beater shaft, d. a drive unit remotely disposed on the floor from said beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion, e. an oscillating drive shaft journaled on the support portion of the drive unit, f. a drive pedal mounted on the base of the drive unit, g. linkage means connecting said drive pedal to said drive shaft, h. a flexible shaft connecting said drive shaft and said beater shaft in driving relationship, and i. spacing connector means connected between said drive unit and said beater unit to maintain said units in spaced relationship.
 2. A playing device according to claim 1 wherein a. a second oscillating beater shaft is journaled on said support portion of the beater unit, b. a beater mounted on said second oscillating beater shaft, c. a second drive pedal mounted on said base of the beater unit, and d. linkage means connecting said second drive pedal to said second oscillating beater shaft for driving said second beater shaft.
 3. The playing device according to claim 1 wherein the spacing connector means is provided with adjustable longitudinal extension means to vary the distance between the respective units.
 4. In the playing device according to claim 1 wherein said flexible shaft includes a plurality of concentric helical coils in which a. a first coil has the helical turns disposed in one direction, and b. a second coil has the helical turns disposed in the opposite direction.
 5. A playing device according to claim 1 wherein the mounting of a drive pedal includes a. a base extension member connected to the base, and b. said pedal hinged to said base extension member.
 6. A playing device according to claim 1 wherein a detachable securing means is connected between said beater unit and the instrument to maintain fixed relationship between the beater unit and the instrument.
 7. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which rests on the room floor, a playing device disposed adjacent to the instrument comprising a. a beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion, b. an oscillating beater shaft journaled on the support portion of the beater unit, c. a beater mounted on said beater shaft, d. a drive shafT journaled on the base of the beater unit, e. linkage means connecting said drive shaft to said beater shaft to drive said beater shaft, f. a drive unit remotely disposed from said beater unit having a base with a floor engaging portion, g. a pedal hinge shaft journaled to the base of the drive unit, h. a pedal fixedly mounted on said hinge shaft, i. a flexible shaft connecting said hinge shaft and said drive shaft in operating relationship, and j. spacing connector means connected between said beater unit and said drive unit to maintain the units in spaced relation to each other.
 8. A playing device according to claim 7 wherein resilient return means is provided to return at least the beater to a position of ready to play.
 9. A playing device according to claim 8 wherein resilient means for returning the pedal to position of ready to play includes a. a portion of the drive unit base forming an upright support portion, b. a jack shaft journaled on said support portion, c. a first radial arm mounted on said jack shaft, d. linkage means connecting said pedal with said first arm whereby playing movement of the pedal oscillates said jack shaft against an oscillation exerted by return spring means, e. a second radial arm mounted on said jack shaft, and f. return spring means mounted on said drive unit upright support portion and connected to said second radial arm to return said pedal to a ready to play position.
 10. A playing unit according to claim 7 wherein the drive unit includes a. a base extension member connected to said base, and b. said pedal hinge shaft journaled on said base extension member.
 11. A drum arrangement including a beater unit and spacing means interconnecting said beater unit and a drive means comprising: a. an elongated rigid first member, b. an elongated rigid second member slidable on said first member, c. guide means on at least one of said members to maintain said members in sliding engagement, d. locking means disposed on one of the members to detachably retain the members in fixed relative position, e. at least one free end of one of said members having pivotal connecting means thereon, f. means for locking the arm member in a desired angular; and g. a drive shaft means interconnecting said drive means and said beater unit.
 12. A drum arrangement as in claim 11 comprising: a stool, an elongated rigid third member pivotally interconnecting said stool and said spacing means.
 13. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which reposes on a room floor, a playing apparatus therefor disposed on the floor comprising: a. a beater unit disposed adjacent the instrument, b. a drive unit remotely disposed on the floor from the beater unit having a base and an upright support mounted thereon, c. a beater shaft journaled in said beater unit, d. a pedal driven drive shaft journaled in the upright support of the drive unit; and e. elongated shaft means connecting said drive shaft with said beater shaft in which a portion of the elongated connecting shaft means includes a flexible shaft.
 14. In the playing of a percussion instrument of the type which reposes on a room floor, a playing apparatus therefor disposed on the floor comprising: a. a beater unit disposed adjacent the instrument having a floor engaging portion and an upright support portion, b. a drive unit remotely disposed on the floor from the beater unit, c. a pedal driven first drive shaft journaled on the drive unit, d. a second drive shaft journaled in the floor engaging portion of the beater unit, e. a beater shaft journaled in the upright support portion of the beater unit, f. linkage means connecting the second drive shaft with the beater shaft in driving relationship; and g. elongated connecting shaft means connecting said first drive shaft and said second drive shaft in driving relationship iN which a portion of said elongated shaft includes a flexible shaft. 